Attend the Upcoming Hearing on South Coast MLPA Implementation

On February 17, 2011, the California State Assembly Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture will hold a public hearing on the recently adopted fishing closures in California's South Coast region established under the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) process. The hearing will begin at 10:00 a.m. in Room 4202 of the State Capitol Building. The Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO) is calling on all anglers to attend this important hearing and help ensure that anglers have a strong presence.

Despite ongoing legal concerns, on December 15, 2010, the California Fish and Game Commission (FGC) voted to close off many of southern California's best fishing spots to recreational fishing. Unless actions are taken to reverse this decision, the closures will go into effect in mid-2011.

After brief presentations by MLPA Initiative and FGC staff, the public comment period will commence. Representatives from the PSO, including the plaintiffs in the recently filed lawsuit against the MLPA process, will testify before the committee.

This is your opportunity to convey to the state legislature, on behalf of all California's anglers, your thoughts and concerns about how the MLPA has been implemented.

They need to hear that:

- Fishing is an important part of your life and that of your friends and family.

- Recreational fishing has a minimal impact on the ocean's environment and that you are a conservationist first and foremost.

- The MLPA process was flawed from the outset, with state agencies conducting business contrary to statutes governing their conduct.

- Due to successful fisheries management programs, California's marine fisheries are healthy and recreational fishing closures are not needed. Fishery management in California is working!

Visit www.KeepAmericaFishing.org for more information on the MLPA and ways you can help support ongoing litigation against the process.

Thank you for doing your part to help KeepAmericaFishing!